New evidence calls for stronger system of accountability for people who use violence
MEDIA RELEASE | Friday 14 February 2025
We cannot end violence against women and children if we don’t engage men and boys in this work. A new briefing from Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety and No To Violence examines how Men’s Behaviour Change Programs can drive real change in addressing men’s use of domestic, family and sexual violence. The research underscores the need for these programs to be better integrated into a wider system of accountability and recognised as just one part of a long-term approach to ending violence.
Men’s Behaviour Change Programs are group-based interventions for men who have used domestic, family, and sexual violence against a current or former partner or other family members.
While Men’s Behaviour Change Programs are a key intervention for people who use violence, the report highlights that they are not a stand-alone solution. The evidence also emphasises men’s behaviour change is not guaranteed through completion of a Men’s Behaviour Change Programs and programs must be tailored, ongoing, and responsive to individual risk factors. More sustainable funding, enhanced program accessibility, and tailored responses are needed to improve outcomes for both people who use violence and survivors.
Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine, ANROWS CEO, said: “People who use violence must be held accountable. But Men’s Behaviour Change Programs can’t do this on their own. The evidence is clear that accountability must extend beyond individual programs to a coordinated system that spans the justice, social service, housing and community sectors. A whole-of-system approach is needed for lasting change in men’s behaviour that brings safety for victims and survivors.”
No to Violence CEO, Phillip Ripper said: “A federal election is imminent and we need political parties to step up and prioritise stopping violence at its source. This report adds to a long list of evidence that says we need to significantly increase investment and develop a broader suite of interventions to stop people using violence. If governments are serious about standing with victim-survivors, then they need to increase their focus onto people using violence.”
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner, Micaela Cronin said: the evidence brief’s findings reinforce that behaviour change programs must be strengthened as part of a system-wide collaboration to end violence against women and children.
“We welcome the research by Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) and No to Violence (NTV) into Men’s Behaviour Change Programs. Ensuring Men’s Behaviour Change Programs are resourced to be culturally responsive and context specific is essential.”
“The research is consistent with what we have heard from around the country, that Men’s Behaviour Change Programs must be embedded within the broader domestic, family and sexual violence system,” Commissioner Cronin said.
The role of perpetrator accountability and behaviour change will be a key theme at the ANROWS Conference in May 2025, which will focus on the impact of domestic, family, and sexual violence on children and young people. Researchers, policymakers, and practitioners will come together to examine how stronger, evidence-based systems of accountability can lead to better outcomes for families and communities.
The report’s findings will inform these critical discussions and shape future policy and funding decisions to ensure Men’s Behaviour Change Programs are part of a broader, integrated response to ending violence.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Elliott Holohan
ANROWS Media & Strategic Communications Specialist
M: 0411 507 542| E: [email protected]
David Sutherland (No to Violence)
M: 0405 354 343 E: [email protected]
Luke Ablett (Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission)
M: 0455 176 298 E: [email protected]
About ANROWS
Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety Limited (ANROWS) is a not-for-profit independent national research organisation.
ANROWS is an initiative of Australia’s National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022. ANROWS was established by the Commonwealth and all state and territory governments of Australia to produce, disseminate and assist in applying evidence for policy and practice addressing violence against women and their children. ANROWS is the only such research organisation in Australia.
About No to Violence
No to Violence (NTV) is Australia’s largest national peak body for organisations that work with men who use family violence, providing training, sector development and advocacy across the sector.
NTV also operates the Men’s Referral Service, providing a counselling service and referral pathways directly to men who use violence ph: 1300 766 491